For my paper I will look at contemporary communities built on violence, looking specifically at how the philosophy of Georges Bataille may allow for these groups to be interpreted in the context of sacrifice. Though I will look at some issues related to sexual desire, and drawing a clear, separating line between violent and sexual desires is difficult, I will focus mostly on the relationship between observers of violence and those engaged in acts of pointless violence. To do this, I will employ the thought of Bataille, as Bataille works to understand the role of violent desire and taboo in contemporary society. Using Bataille's thought, I will examine the ways that some contemporary communities are built around useless expenditure, focusing on the ways these communities reflect Bataille's vision of religion. I examine three case studies - the world of deathmatch wrestling, the performance art of Chris Burden, and the Jonathan Littell novel The Kindly Ones - paying particular attention to the ways these cultures are centered on transgressive, wasteful moments.